Coronavirus update – the latest news from Yorkshire businesses

A Yorkshire business has benefited from people’s efforts to keep their children entertained during the prolonged lockdown period.

SB Skate Ramps, has seen a sharp upturn in sales and enquiries and has moved to larger premises to keep up with demand.

Nick Shaw founded the company over 10 years ago. What started as a hobby, soon turned into a small business with skateboarding, scooter, BMX and quad-skate enthusiasts requesting ramps of all sizes to keep their skills up to date in their own back garden.

The firm has recently seen a jump in sales coming from Europe and the UK, including orders from celebrities and Olympic champions.

Rod Stewart and Take That’s Mark Owen have placed orders. And Yorkshire-based Snowboarding Cup Slopestyle Champion, Katie Ormerod, is continuing her lockdown training with the aid of a skate ramp installed at her West Yorkshire home.

Shaw said: “The biggest issue we faced was social distancing both in the workshop and onsite with clients.

“We saw a sudden surge in orders in literally one month, so we had to gear up pretty quickly to fulfil orders and keep our customers happy, whilst adhering to the strict social distancing rules in force.

“We moved to bigger premises to accommodate the upturn in sales, and our skate ramp production line was configured to ensure staff remained at a safe distance.

“It’s so satisfying seeing customers enjoying their time outdoors, whilst keeping fit on one of our ramps.

“We feel lucky to be able to increase our sales at this tough time, when so many businesses are struggling. It’s certainly not been an easy ride, but I think businesses who see the opportunities and pivot to meet demand, will come out the winners.”

He added the company has a strong order book for the remainder of the year, and is looking to increase production and staffing levels to cope with a rise in demand throughout the coming months.”

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An East Yorkshire business has launched a flame-retardant face mask to protect frontline workers.

ProGARM, an arc flash and flame-retardant (FR) protection specialist, has developed the anti-viral, reusable face mask, which is designed to offer protection against both COVID-19 as well as injuries caused by fire or an arc flash.

The washable mask is manufactured from three layers of fabric, providing anti-viral protection to help guard an operative’s face, nose and mouth against respiratory droplets and airborne particles.

Mark Lant, technical expert at ProGARM, explained: “As COVID-19 lockdown restrictions are eased, increasing numbers of operatives are returning to work and must now adhere to additional health and safety measures, including the use of face masks, to prevent potentially spreading the virus.

“However, the face masks that many operatives are wearing are manufactured from everyday materials, which can burn or melt into the worker’s skin and cause significant burns and injury, should an arc flash or fire incident occur.

“For this reason, we’ve designed a new FR face mask which can provide both fire and anti-viral protection.

“The FR face mask can provide peace of mind that the new health and safety measures to combat the spread of Coronavirus won’t impact upon workers’ protection against an arc flash.

“We noticed from a lot of our customers that there was a real requirement for FR face masks, and since we’ve launched the product, the demand has been huge!”

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The online Bradford Street Market has celebrated its 10th week, with stallholders claiming it has helped their businesses survive.

The digital market operates every Thursday via the Bradford Street Market Facebook group.

With lockdown restrictions easing, but social distancing measures likely to continue, the market will continue to provide support to local businesses with the aim of raising their online profile and boosting sales.

More than 200 stallholders have been taking part, with 4,000 shoppers regularly browsing the stalls each week.

Founder of the market, Catherine Simes, said: “Shoppers have really enjoyed discovering new local businesses  – there’s an army of talented Bradford makers, artists and producers out there and we’re unearthed some real hidden gems, bringing them together in one place for the first time.

“The variety and quality of products available has really showcased the best of Bradford’s independents.

“It’s also encouraged people to change the way they do business, moving online and even offering delivery services.”

“We’ve worked hard to create a positive, market-style atmosphere in the group and it’s brought a bit of fun and community to Thursdays in Bradford, some saying it’s the highlight of their week.

“People seem to have a real appetite to support local businesses.

“My hope is that this support will continue after the lockdown and people will appreciate the value of backing local businesses and keeping money in the local economy.”

Simes and Ursula Sutcliffe – owner of the Plant One on Me Yorkshire plant shop in Bradford city centre – created the online market in April as a direct response to the lockdown.

Their idea was to create a market-like atmosphere where vendors could connect with customers old and new and shoppers could support Bradford’s independent businesses.